Tina Antolini, host of a podcast called Gravy asks, why do we distinguish between fruits and vegetables? Rebecca Rupp, science writer with a Ph.D. in cell biology and biochemistry breaks down the question — putting to rest the question of the ages, are tomatoes fruits or vegetables?
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Why Distinguish Between Fruits and Vegetables?

Tina Antolini, host of a podcast called Gravy asks, why do we distinguish between fruits and vegetables? Rebecca Rupp, science writer with a Ph.D. in cell biology and biochemistry breaks down the question — putting to rest the question of the ages, are tomatoes fruits or vegetables?

Zookeeper Rick asks why why animals see color differently? Dr. Jay Neitz of the University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology says there is more than one factor that accounts for how animals perceive color. Some plants and animals present vibrant colors we can’t even see and for reasons they don't want us to know.

Why Do Animals See Color Differently?

Zookeeper Rick asks why why animals see color differently? Dr. Jay Neitz of the University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology says there is more than one factor that accounts for how animals perceive color. Some plants and animals present vibrant colors we can’t even see and for reasons they don't want us to know.

#animals

#color

#nature

#science

Episode 29

Loading Podcast Why Do We Laugh at Pain?

Why Do We Laugh at Pain?

October 19,2016

Matthew Hollingshead

Listener Matthew Hollingshead, a skateboard enthusiast, asks why it’s so funny to watch people get hurt. We’re not necessarily talking about critical injuries, more like America’s Funniest Home Videos style failures, pain, and embarrassment. Caleb Warren, an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Arizona helps us answer this question and feel a little better about finding joy in other people’s “hilarious misery”.

Why Do We Laugh at Pain?

Listener Matthew Hollingshead, a skateboard enthusiast, asks why it’s so funny to watch people get hurt. We’re not necessarily talking about critical injuries, more like America’s Funniest Home Videos style failures, pain, and embarrassment. Caleb Warren, an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Arizona helps us answer this question and feel a little better about finding joy in other people’s “hilarious misery”.

#animals

#nature

Episode 28

Loading Podcast Do Animals Have Eating Contests?

Do Animals Have Eating Contests?

October 4,2016

Hilah Johnson

Hilah Johnson hosts a show about cooking (and, naturally, eating)and she came to us with a very on-brand question. Do animals have eating contests? We spoke to biologist Elise Huchard to get the answer. Check out Hilah's cooking show! Find her on Twitter @hilahcooking.

Do Animals Have Eating Contests?

Hilah Johnson hosts a show about cooking (and, naturally, eating)and she came to us with a very on-brand question. Do animals have eating contests? We spoke to biologist Elise Huchard to get the answer.
Check out Hilah's cooking show! Find her on Twitter @hilahcooking.

#animals

#food

#nature

#science

Episode 26

Loading Podcast What's Quantum Teleportation?

What's Quantum Teleportation?

September 20,2016

Shohini Ghose

Listening to Shohini Ghose talk about what would happen if a human reached light speed in Episode 16, Fred Papon of Australia wanted to know more about her research into quantum teleportation. Ghose reveals that teleportation has already happened, but don’t expect someone on the train with you to disappear after saying “Beam me up Scotty.”

What's Quantum Teleportation?

Listening to Shohini Ghose talk about what would happen if a human reached light speed in Episode 16, Fred Papon of Australia wanted to know more about her research into quantum teleportation. Ghose reveals that teleportation has already happened, but don’t expect someone on the train with you to disappear after saying “Beam me up Scotty.”

#nature

#physics

#science

Episode 25

Loading Podcast How Do Animal Taste Buds Work?

How Do Animal Taste Buds Work?

September 17,2016

Patrick Moore

Danielle Reed

Dallas College professor Patrick Moore, seeing his dog Abbey eating her own poo and swallowing dirty socks, wonders how animal tastebuds work. Danielle Reed, associate director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center, takes a break from feeding her cat Diet Coke to talk about the chemical properties of taste. Both cheese and sweaty socks smell like isovaleric acid. Dogs being omnivores unconstrained by the social cues that govern human behavior…
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How Do Animal Taste Buds Work?

Dallas College professor Patrick Moore, seeing his dog Abbey eating her own poo and swallowing dirty socks, wonders how animal tastebuds work. Danielle Reed, associate director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center, takes a break from feeding her cat Diet Coke to talk about the chemical properties of taste. Both cheese and sweaty socks smell like isovaleric acid. Dogs being omnivores unconstrained by the social cues that govern human behavior are going to go ahead and see if that sock is food. Host Andrew Norton would rather have listeners thinking about Mac and Cheese but he has his own taste issues. Maybe it’s in genetics?

How Do Animal Taste Buds Work?

Dallas College professor Patrick Moore, seeing his dog Abbey eating her own poo and swallowing dirty socks, wonders how animal tastebuds work. Danielle Reed, associate director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center, takes a break from feeding her cat Diet Coke to talk about the chemical properties of taste. Both cheese and sweaty socks smell like isovaleric acid. Dogs being omnivores unconstrained by the social cues that govern human behavior are going to go ahead and see if that sock is food. Host Andrew Norton would rather have listeners thinking about Mac and Cheese but he has his own taste issues. Maybe it’s in genetics?

#animals

#food

#science

Episode 24

Loading Podcast Why Do Siblings Have Rivalries?

Why Do Siblings Have Rivalries?

August 23,2016

Molly Knefel

John Knefel

Naomi White, Ph.D.

Molly and John Knefel, sister and brother co-hosts of the daily podcast “Radio Dispatch” wonder why siblings become rivals. Naomi White, Ph.D., of Cambridge University, explores the evolutionary and cultural roots of sibling conflict and finds that working things out with your sister or brother teaches important lessons about life and relationships.

Why Do Siblings Have Rivalries?

Molly and John Knefel, sister and brother co-hosts of the daily podcast “Radio Dispatch” wonder why siblings become rivals. Naomi White, Ph.D., of Cambridge University, explores the evolutionary and cultural roots of sibling conflict and finds that working things out with your sister or brother teaches important lessons about life and relationships.

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Completely Optional Knowledge is produced by multimedia whiz Andrew Norton with music by Breakmaster Cylinder. We're brought to you by Greenpeace, proud to be working for a more green and peaceful future.